Supply equipment and methods for battery status diagnostics and ID assignment

Abstract

A supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a communication module capable of communicating with a plurality of battery management systems included in a battery pack; and a processor, wherein the processor causes the communication module to wirelessly transmit a supply signal for switching at least one of the plurality of battery management systems to a supply mode; receiving status information of batteries and battery management systems from the plurality of battery management systems via the communication module; and assigning a network ID of the battery pack and an ID of each of the battery management systems based on the status information of the battery management systems received via the communication module.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0079599, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on June 29, 2020, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0004] This invention relates to a supply device and method for battery status diagnosis and ID assignment. Background Technology

[0005] Typically, in the case of EV vehicle batteries, a Battery Management System (BMS) is set up for each module. Traditionally, this BMS assigns or manages the ID of each BMS via a wired cable. However, because this wired BMS requires a separate cable, it results in increased manufacturing costs and size.

[0006] Furthermore, a wireless battery management system has been designed to address this issue. However, with a wireless battery management system, when individual ID assignment cannot be performed in real time and is arbitrary, the following problems arise: in the event of a failure, individual maintenance and repair are difficult due to the unknown location of the module. Additionally, when a unique network ID is required to further distinguish the wireless network, and an additional interface such as an infrared (IR) interface is used for ID assignment, there is also an issue of increased production costs for the battery management system. Summary of the Invention

[0007] [Technical Issues]

[0008] The present invention is designed to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the object of the present invention is to provide a supply device and method that can use a separate device to monitor the status of the battery and battery management system during battery assembly, efficiently allocate network IDs and IDs for each battery management system, and reduce size and cost.

[0009] [Technical Solution]

[0010] A supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a communication module capable of communicating with a plurality of battery management systems included in a battery pack; and a processor, wherein the processor enables the communication module to wirelessly transmit a supply signal for switching at least one of the plurality of battery management systems to a supply mode, receives battery and battery management system status information from the plurality of battery management systems through the communication module, and assigns a network ID of the battery pack and an ID of each of the battery management systems based on the battery management system status information received through the communication module.

[0011] A method for diagnosing the state of a battery system and assigning an ID using a supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: wirelessly transmitting a supply signal for switching the system to a supply mode to at least one of a plurality of battery management systems included in a battery pack; receiving state information of the battery and the battery management system from each of the plurality of battery management systems; and assigning the network ID of the battery pack and the ID of each of the battery management systems.

[0012] [The effects of the invention]

[0013] According to the supply equipment and method of the present invention, during battery assembly, a separate device can be used to monitor the status of the battery and the battery management system, network IDs and IDs of each battery management system can be efficiently assigned, and size and cost can be reduced. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is an exemplary configuration diagram of a battery pack including a battery management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 3 This diagram illustrates the operation of a supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention using a battery management system of a battery pack.

[0017] Figure 4a This is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of a supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 4b This is a diagram illustrating an example of a method of using a supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating the operation of a supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating a supply method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 7 This is a diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of a supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0021] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this document, the same reference numerals are used for the same parts in the drawings, and repeated descriptions of the same parts are omitted.

[0022] The various embodiments of the present invention disclosed in this document are illustrated only for the purpose of describing embodiments of the present invention, and the various embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in various forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments described in this document.

[0023] The expressions such as "first," "second," "first," or "second" used in the various embodiments can modify various elements regardless of their order and / or importance, and do not limit the corresponding elements. For example, a first component may be referred to as a second component without departing from the scope of the invention, and similarly, a second component may be renamed and referred to as a first component.

[0024] The terminology used in this document is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of other embodiments. Unless otherwise stated, singular terms may include plural forms.

[0025] All terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, may have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Terms defined in common dictionaries may be interpreted as having the same or similar meaning as in the context of the relevant art, and are not to be interpreted as having an ideal or overly formal meaning unless expressly defined in this document. In some cases, even terms defined in this document may not be construed as excluding embodiments of the invention.

[0026] Figure 1 This is a configuration diagram of a battery pack including a battery management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] In battery pack 1, multiple battery modules 2, 4, and 6 are connected in series or parallel. Battery management systems 12, 14, and 16 are respectively arranged in battery modules 2, 4, and 6. Each battery management system 12, 14, and 16 monitors the multiple battery modules 2, 4, and 6 by measuring their temperature, voltage, or current, transmits the monitored information to the upper-level system, and receives control commands from the upper-level system to control the connected battery modules.

[0028] Multiple battery modules 2, 4, and 6 are connected in series or parallel to form a battery pack 1. A main battery management system 10 is arranged in the battery pack 1. The main battery management system 10 measures and monitors the temperature, voltage, or current of the battery pack 1. In addition, the main battery management system 10 receives monitoring information from each battery module from slave battery management systems 12, 14, and 16 respectively arranged in the battery modules, and transmits the received monitoring information to the higher-level system. It also receives various commands from the higher-level system and transmits the received commands to the corresponding slave battery management systems 12, 14, and 16.

[0029] Figure 2 This is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] refer to Figure 2 According to an embodiment of the present invention, the supply device 200 may include a processor 210, a communication module 220, a user interface 230, a display 240, and an alarm module 250.

[0031] Processor 210 can cause communication module 220 to wirelessly transmit a supply signal to at least one of a plurality of battery management systems included in the battery pack, for switching the system to a supply mode. Here, supply mode refers to a series of processes that perform diagnostics on the battery management system and assign IDs to the network and the corresponding battery management system. In this case, the supply device 200 of the present invention can operate in supply mode only for the battery management system that has received the supply signal.

[0032] The processor 210 can receive battery and status information from multiple battery management systems via the communication module 220. In this case, the battery and status information received by the battery management system via the communication module 220 can be data from the battery management system monitoring the battery modules and the battery management system itself, and is stored in a separate memory.

[0033] Furthermore, the supply signals transmitted via the communication module 220 may include signals with preset patterns. For example, the supply signal may trigger a switch to a supply mode specific to a particular battery management system, such as a wake-up tone signal or an interference signal. After switching to the supply mode, the processor 210 can communicate via the communication module 220 using command signals operable only in the supply mode. Additionally, when terminating the supply operation of the battery management system via the communication module 220, the processor 210 can transmit a supply termination command to the corresponding battery management system.

[0034] The processor 210 can also diagnose the state of the battery and battery management system based on the state information of the battery and battery management system. For example, the processor 210 can determine whether there is an anomaly based on whether the state information of the battery and battery management system, such as voltage, current, temperature, and pressure, is outside a preset reference range.

[0035] In addition, the processor 210 can display status information and diagnostic results of the battery and battery management system to the user through a graphical interface (e.g., display 240), or transmit the status information and diagnostic results to an external server (not shown).

[0036] Processor 210 can assign network IDs and individual battery management system IDs to the battery pack. In this case, the user can directly set the network IDs and battery management system IDs through user interface 230. Furthermore, the network IDs and battery management system IDs can be randomly generated by the battery management system or generated by the battery supplier. In this case, processor 210 can assign network and battery management system IDs after diagnosing the status of the battery and battery management system, and conversely, receive status information from the battery and battery management system after assigning the network and battery management system IDs.

[0037] In addition to the network ID and the battery management system ID, the processor 210 can also assign network information (e.g., usage frequency), operation configuration values ​​of the battery management system, etc.

[0038] On the other hand, when a supply signal is transmitted to the main battery management system among multiple battery management systems via the communication module 220, the processor 210 can assign a network ID and a main battery management system ID to the main battery management system. Furthermore, when a network is formed by the main battery management system, the supply signal is transmitted to the slave battery management system, and the network ID and the corresponding slave battery management system ID can be sequentially assigned to the slave battery management system.

[0039] Communication module 220 can communicate with multiple battery management systems included in the battery pack. For example, communication module 210 can perform wireless communication in various ways such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC.

[0040] Furthermore, the communication module 220 may include a directional antenna for transmitting signals to only one of the multiple battery management systems. The directional antenna of the communication module 220 enables communication with the battery management system over short distances via antenna protection devices designed to improve directivity.

[0041] User interface 230 can receive device settings, network ID information of the battery pack, ID information of each of the multiple battery management systems, and input related to commands used to control the battery management systems from the user. That is, the user can provide various inputs for operating the supply device 200 through user interface 230. For example, user interface 230 can be configured in various forms such as a keyboard, mouse, and touchpad.

[0042] The display 240 can display status information of the battery and battery management system, the network ID of the battery pack, and the ID information of each component in the battery management system. Furthermore, the display 240 can perform the functions of the aforementioned user interface 230, which serves as a user interface.

[0043] When an anomaly is detected in at least one of the battery and the battery management system in the processor 210, the alarm module 250 can generate a warning notification. At this time, the alarm module 250 can notify the user of the anomaly via voice or light signals. Additionally, in the supply device 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the alarm module 250 can be included in the user interface 230.

[0044] The supply device 200 according to the invention can operate on the same interface as the communication interface with the battery management system. Traditionally, IDs are assigned to the battery management system by setting up a separate device to assign IDs on a new interface (e.g., an IR communication device). However, with the supply device according to the invention, since IDs can be assigned on the same interface as the existing battery management system's communication interface, the cost of setting up additional interfaces can be reduced.

[0045] Furthermore, the supply device 200 of the present invention can be transportable by a user or mobile device. For example, a user can directly carry the supply device 200 and perform the above-described supply mode (diagnosis and ID assignment) by directly marking the supply device 200 for each battery management system. Alternatively, the supply mode for each battery management system can be performed while the supply device 200 is installed on a separate mobile device and is being moved.

[0046] On the other hand, instead of direct transport via user or mobile device, the supply device 200 according to the invention can also be provided for each of a plurality of battery management systems. That is, the supply device 200 is provided adjacent to each battery management system, so that the user or mobile device can automatically execute the supply mode without marking it while carrying it directly.

[0047] Thus, the supply device 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention can monitor the status of the battery and the battery management system using a separate device when assembling the battery, can efficiently allocate network IDs and IDs for each battery management system, and can reduce size and cost.

[0048] Figure 3 This diagram illustrates the operation of a supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention using a battery management system of a battery pack.

[0049] refer to Figure 3 According to an embodiment of the present invention, the battery pack 300 may include a battery module controller (BMC) 310, a cell module controller (CMC) 320, and a supply device 330. Here, the BMC 310 may correspond to a main battery management system, and the CMC 320 may correspond to multiple slave battery management systems.

[0050] The CMC 320 performs functions such as monitoring and controlling the status of battery modules, including multiple individual cells. For example... Figure 3 As shown, each CMC 320 is configured for each battery module and can detect the status information of the individual battery cells in each battery module, such as voltage, current, temperature and state of charge (SOC).

[0051] Furthermore, BMC 310 can receive status information detected by each CMC 320 and transmit commands to each CMC 320 based on this information. That is, BMC 310 can perform overall control over the battery modules and battery management system of the battery pack 300.

[0052] like Figure 3 As shown, the supply device 330 according to the present invention can wirelessly communicate with the BMC 310 and CMC 320 of the battery pack 300. That is, the supply device 330 can switch to supply mode for each of the BMC 310 and CMC 320 as described above, and perform status diagnosis and ID assignment for the battery modules, BMC 310 and CMC 320. The supply device 330 may also include a user graphical interface (GUI).

[0053] The supply device 330 of the present invention can use an ID obtained and entered by a user in a separate system, or receive an ID generated by a BMC 310 or CMC 320, and use the received ID as a network ID and the ID of each BMC 310 or CMC 320. In this case, the ID of the CMC 320 can be assigned sequentially or can be directly entered by the user.

[0054] Furthermore, the supply device 330 according to the present invention can perform status diagnostics on BMC 310 and CMC 320, and assign network IDs and IDs for each of BMC 310 and CMC 320 to store the assigned IDs in a separate memory (not shown). In addition, the supply device 330 can perform network management and monitoring, and can add new devices or initialize existing devices. The supply device 330 of embodiments of the present invention is also configured to upload various data, such as network IDs and IDs for each of BMC 310 and CMC 320, to an external server (not shown) or electronic device (e.g., PC, user terminal, etc.) and manage the uploaded data.

[0055] When the ID is assigned to both BMC 310 and CMC 320 via the supply device 330, BMC 310 and CMC 320 set the assigned BMS ID as an address to form a network and transmit / receive data and various commands (e.g., status monitoring commands, cell balancing commands, threshold specification commands for anomaly diagnosis, etc.) regarding the status of the battery and battery management system.

[0056] Figure 4a This is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of a supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 4b This is a diagram illustrating an example of a method of using a supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0057] refer to Figure 4a The supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a directional antenna for communicating with a battery management system. This allows the supply device to be configured to communicate only with a specific battery management system. Furthermore, the supply device may improve the directivity of communication by additionally providing an antenna radiation protection film for the directional antenna.

[0058] On the other hand, users can perform functions such as device settings, network ID and device ID input, status monitoring, input of various commands, and automation scripts through the graphical user interface (GUI) of the supplied equipment.

[0059] refer to Figure 4b The supply device of the present invention can be positioned in contact with or adjacent to the battery management system to perform supply. In this case, the supply device can be mounted on the battery management system and can be performed in a manner that allows the user to carry the supply device while marking it. Furthermore, each battery management system may include a receiver for receiving signals from the supply device.

[0060] Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating the operation of a supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] Reference Figure 5 First, the supply device transmits a supply signal to the main battery management system (S110). In this case, the supply signal can be a predetermined pattern signal. Furthermore, communication between the supply device and the battery management system can be performed in the same manner as the communication method between the supply device and the battery management system.

[0062] When a supply signal is received from the supply device, the main battery management system enters supply mode. Then, the supply device sends a status information request command to the main battery management system (S120), and the main battery management system sends status information (e.g., voltage, SOC, temperature, etc.) about the battery and the main BMS itself to the supply device (S130). In this situation, the supply device can perform anomaly diagnosis about the battery and the battery management system using the received status information.

[0063] Next, the supply device sets the network ID and the main battery management system ID (S140). Here, the network ID and the main battery management system ID can be set directly by the user or generated within the battery management system. Upon receiving the network ID and the battery management system ID, the main battery management system again sends a receipt confirmation signal to the supply device (S150). Thus, when all supply processing has been executed, the supply device sends a supply termination command to the main battery management system (S160). When the supply mode ends, the main battery management system returns to normal mode.

[0064] When the supply operation to the main battery management system is terminated, the supply device sends a supply signal to the slave battery management system (S170). Furthermore, the supply operation to the slave battery management system is performed in the same manner as in the main battery management system. In this case, since the supply operation to the slave battery management system is essentially the same as in steps S120 to S150, its detailed description will be omitted. When all supply operations to the slave battery management system are completed, the supply device sends a supply termination command to the slave battery management system (S180).

[0065] On the other hand, when the supply operation of the first slave battery management system is terminated, the supply device will switch to normal mode corresponding to the slave battery management system and sequentially execute the supply operation of the next slave battery management system.

[0066] In this way, when IDs are assigned to all master and slave battery management systems via the supply device, the battery management systems can form a network by setting the assigned BMS ID as an address to transmit and receive data and commands. For example, the slave battery management system can transmit data about the battery modules, as well as the status of the battery modules and the battery management system (cell / module voltage, temperature, etc.), to the master battery management system, and the master battery management system can transmit various commands (e.g., status monitoring commands, cell balancing commands, threshold specification commands for anomaly diagnosis, etc.) to the slave battery management systems.

[0067] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating a supply method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0068] Reference Figure 6First, a supply signal for switching the system to supply mode is wirelessly transmitted via a supply device to at least one of multiple battery management systems included in the battery pack (S210). Alternatively, the supply signal can be switched to supply mode only for a specific battery management system via preset pattern signals such as wake-up tone signals and interference signals.

[0069] Furthermore, in step S210, communication can be achieved only relative to the target battery management system through a directional antenna for transmitting signals only to a specific battery management system among multiple battery management systems and an antenna protection device for improving directivity.

[0070] Then, status information of the battery and battery management system is received from the battery management system that has switched to supply mode (S220). In this case, in step S220, the status of the battery and battery management system can be diagnosed based on the status information of the battery and battery management system. For example, it can be determined whether there is an anomaly based on whether status information such as voltage, current, temperature, and pressure of the battery and battery management system are outside a preset reference range. Furthermore, the status information and diagnostic results of the battery and battery management system performed in step S220 can be displayed to the user through a graphical interface or transmitted to an external server.

[0071] Next, the network ID of the battery pack and the ID of each battery management system are assigned (S230). In this case, the network ID of the battery pack and the ID of the battery management system can be set directly by the user through the input module, or they can be generated by the battery management system itself.

[0072] Furthermore, in step S230, when a supply signal is transmitted to the main battery management system among the multiple battery management systems via the communication module 220, the processor 210 can assign the network ID and the main battery management system ID to the main battery management system. Also, when a network is formed by the main battery management system, the supply signal is transmitted to each of the slave battery management systems among the multiple battery management systems, and the network ID and the corresponding slave battery management system ID can be sequentially assigned to each of the slave battery management systems.

[0073] exist Figure 5 and Figure 6 The invention has already described that after monitoring each battery management system, the supply device performs network and battery management system ID allocation, but the invention is not limited to this, and monitoring can also be performed after the network and battery management system IDs are allocated.

[0074] At the same time, despite Figure 6As not shown, the supply method according to an embodiment of the present invention displays the status information of the battery and the battery management system, the network ID of the battery pack, and the ID information of each in the battery management system, so that the user can directly check the data.

[0075] Furthermore, the supply method according to an embodiment of the present invention can notify the user of danger by generating a warning notification when an anomaly is determined to occur in at least one of the battery and the battery management system in step S220.

[0076] Thus, according to the present invention's supply method according to an embodiment of the invention, when assembling batteries, a separate device can be used to monitor the status of the battery and the battery management system, network IDs and IDs of each battery management system can be efficiently allocated, and size and cost can be reduced.

[0077] Figure 7 This is a diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of a supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0078] Reference Figure 7 The supply device 700 may include a microcontroller (MCU) 710 for controlling various processes and each configuration, a memory 720 containing operating system programs and various programs (e.g., battery and battery management system diagnostic programs, ID allocation programs, etc.), an input / output interface 730 providing input and output interfaces between battery cell modules and / or semiconductor switching elements, and a communication interface 740 capable of communicating with the outside via a wired / wireless communication network. Thus, the computer program according to the invention can be recorded in the memory 720 and processed by the microcontroller 710, and can be implemented, for example, to execute... Figure 2 The modules of each functional block shown.

[0079] In the foregoing, although all components constituting embodiments of the present invention have been described as operating as one or more in combination, the present invention is not necessarily limited to these embodiments. That is, within the scope of the present invention, all components may be selectively combined and operate as one or more components.

[0080] Furthermore, unless otherwise expressly stated, terms such as "comprising," "including," or "having" as described above mean that the corresponding constituent component may be present and should be interpreted as potentially including other components rather than excluding them. Unless otherwise defined, all terms, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. Terms of ordinary use, such as those defined in dictionaries, should be interpreted as consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art, and they should not be interpreted as having an idealized or overly formal meaning unless explicitly defined herein.

[0081] The above description is merely an example of the technical concept of the present invention, and various modifications and variations can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the fundamental characteristics of the invention. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in this invention are not intended to limit the technical concept of the invention, but are for illustrative purposes, and the scope of the technical concept of the invention is not limited by these embodiments. The scope of protection of the present invention should be interpreted by the appended claims, and all technical concepts within the same scope should be interpreted as being included within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A supply device, comprising: A communication module, capable of communicating with multiple battery management systems included in a battery pack, wherein the communication module includes a directional antenna for transmitting signals only to one of the multiple battery management systems; and processor, Wherein, the processor The communication module wirelessly transmits a supply signal for switching at least one of the plurality of battery management systems to a supply mode. The communication module receives status information of the battery and the battery management system from the plurality of battery management systems, and The network ID of the battery pack and the ID of each component in the battery management system are assigned based on the status information received through the communication module from the battery management system.

2. The supply device of claim 1, further comprising a user interface for receiving input from a user for at least one of: device settings, network ID information of the battery pack, ID information of each of the plurality of battery management systems, and commands for controlling the battery management systems.

3. The supply device according to claim 1, further comprising a display for displaying at least one of the following: status information of the battery and the battery management system, the network ID of the battery pack, and the ID information of each of the battery management system.

4. The supply equipment according to claim 1, wherein, The communication module operates using the same communication method as the communication method used between the plurality of battery management systems.

5. The supply equipment according to claim 1, wherein, The network ID and the battery management system ID are set based on user input or generated by at least one of the plurality of battery management systems.

6. The supply equipment according to claim 1, wherein, The processor diagnoses the state of the battery and the battery management system based on the state information of the battery and the battery management system.

7. The supply device according to claim 6 further includes an alarm module, the alarm module being configured to generate a warning notification when the processor determines that at least one of the battery and the battery management system is abnormal.

8. The supply equipment according to claim 1, wherein, The processor transmits the status information of the battery and the battery management system to an external server through the communication module.

9. The supply equipment according to claim 1, wherein, When the supply signal is transmitted to the main battery management system among the plurality of battery management systems via the communication module, the processor assigns the network ID and the main battery management system ID to the main battery management system. When a network is formed by the main battery management system, the supply signal is transmitted to each of the slave battery management systems in the plurality of battery management systems through the communication module, and the network ID and the slave battery management system ID are assigned to each of the slave battery management systems.

10. The supply equipment according to claim 9, wherein, The processor sequentially assigns the network ID and the slave battery management system ID to each of the slave battery management systems.

11. The supply equipment according to claim 1, wherein, The supply signal includes a signal with a preset pattern.

12. The supply equipment according to claim 1, wherein, When the supply operation of the battery management system is terminated, the processor transmits a supply termination command to the corresponding battery management system through the communication module.

13. The supply equipment according to claim 1, wherein, The supply equipment is transportable.

14. A method for diagnosing the state of a battery system and assigning IDs using a supply device, wherein, The supply device includes a communication module capable of communicating with multiple battery management systems included in a battery pack, and wherein the communication module includes a directional antenna for transmitting signals only to one of the multiple battery management systems, the method comprising: The communication module wirelessly transmits a supply signal for switching the system to supply mode to at least one of the plurality of battery management systems included in the battery pack; The communication module receives status information of the battery and the battery management system from each of the plurality of battery management systems; and The network ID of the battery pack and the ID of each component in the battery management system are assigned based on the status information received through the communication module from the battery management system.

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